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Tag: Speaker

  • Speaker, stakeholders push for viable sector at NHTIC 2015

    High profile stakeholders in the tourism industry who participated at the 2015 the Nigeria Hotel and  Tourism Investment Conference have charged both government and private sector on more concerted efforts at making the tourism and hospitality sector count in the Nigerian economy.

    At the conference, which held from November 25 to 27 at Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, the speakers noted that now is the right time to show more commitment and action at diversifying the Nigerian economy and using tourism as a sure alternative to oil, especially now that the global oil price is falling.

    As expected,  the three-day conference went beyond paper presentation to offering veritable platforms for networking, interaction and exchanges among participants who were eager to learn , discover new trends and also implement resolutions arrived at the conference for the growth of their businesses.

    From the first paper entitled: Macro-Economic Overview, Sam Ohuabunwa, founder, SOFEE, thoroughly explored the country’s economic outlook, giving insight to would-be investors on how to go about their investments across the country and also meeting their expected investment objectives.

    Placing the country against the rest of the world, Ohuabunwa noted that despite the challenges of doing business in the country, Nigeria is still an investment heaven because of the high return on investment.

    However, the picture became clearer when Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W Hospitality Group, exposed the growth and investment potential of the Nigerian hotel and tourism market. Ward gave detailed study on the hospitality hot spots, supply gaps and key segments with potential growth which would-be investors should look out for among others.

    Moreover, Ward’s figure-based presentation was more convincing and enlightening as questions that followed later reflected the gray areas that bother must investors.

  • Community hosts Anambra Speaker

    Community hosts Anambra Speaker

    Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu has been busy lately. She is not just leading the state lawmakers but also presenting herself to be honoured by people who are proud of her achievements and by those who directly benefitted from her.

    Not long ago, some women in the state organised a reception for her for occupying the Speaker’s position. Now Ukpor community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state has hosted her at a church, thanking her for the amenities she brought to their town.

    Ukpor has paved roads, water because of her. Also, the needy have recived all kinds of assistance from the lawmaker.

    The event which held at Saint Mary Mother of Christ Parish, Ukpor attracted the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke and former governor of the state, Dame Virgy Etiaba and former Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Anayo Nebe, among others.

    In his homily, Most Rev Valerian Okeke urged the Speaker to continue to serve the state with the fear of God.

    The cleric also prayed God to give her the strength and wisdom to discharge her duties, adding that what had happened in her political career showed that God was an awesome one.

    Former female governor and Peter Obi’s Deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, described the Speaker as a virtuous woman and an experienced politician who has done well for the community and the state.

    Etiaba expressed satisfaction with the level of cordiality existing among the three arms of government in the state.

    She added that the tenure of the speaker would bring more positive development to the state, even as she prayed God to give the state more women who would be willing to serve the state creditably.

    Maduagwu who was beaming with smiles throughout the event, promised to use her position to serve both God and humanity creditably.

    Speaking with The Nation, she reaffirmed her determination to ensure that the House of Assembly under her watch would touch the lives of the citizenry positively through enactment of people oriented laws.

    Her husband, Hyacinth Maduagwu, told THE NATION that power comes from God, adding that his wife had been a dutiful one, noting that it was not surprising that God would elevate her to such height.

    One of the widows in the community Esther Udogu, prayed God to give the speaker the wisdom to lead her colleagues in the state Assembly, describing her as an asset to Ukpor community.

    According to her, “this woman is a down to earth, humble person, who used her position to elevate many people in this community and that is why you are seeing this crowd today”

    Before she went into politics, she had been in the habit of helping the poor and less privilege in the society including some of us who are widows, and that is why we pray for her always.”

     

  • Tribunal nullifies Taraba Speaker’s election 

    Tribunal nullifies Taraba Speaker’s election 

    The election of the Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker Abel Peter Diah was Wednesday nullified by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jalingo – the Taraba State capital.

    Speaker Diah is representing Mbamga constituency of Sadauna local government council in the State House of Assembly.

    The tribunal set aside the election, which was held on April 11, 2015 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set aside the Certificate of Return it issued the Speaker as winner of the poll.

    It ordered rerun in eight polling units in 90 days.

    The petitioner’s lead counsel, Festus Idepefo, submitted that the election was conducted in nine of the 48 polling units of Bamga constituency in “non compliance with the Electoral Act 2010” which states that an election must start with accreditation.

    The respondent filed a counter defense, challenging that the conduct of the election in six of the polling units that gave his opponent majority of the votes were not credible.

    The tribunal ruled that the APC candidate presented both oral and documentary evidences to support his allegation in eight of the nine polling units it claimed the election was characterised by irregularities.

    But, that Speaker presented only documentary evidences (without witnesses) to substantiate his claim, which did not to meet the burden of proof, as enshrined in the Electoral Act.

    Justice AM Ali, a member of the tribunal panel who read the judgment, thus, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Emmanuel Bongo winner of the election.

    INEC had declared the Speaker winner with 8,272 votes and Bongo as runner up with 6,691 votes.

    But the tribunal upturned the results.

    According to the judgment, the APC candidate polled 6,695 votes while the PDP candidate (Speaker) scored only 5,651 votes.

    The APC candidate (Bongo) now leads with 1,044 votes.

    The tribunal, however, declared the election as “inconclusive.” It ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun in eight polling units of Mbamga constituency in 90 days, on grounds that the difference in votes between Bongo and Diah is not up to the number of voters defranchised in the affected areas.

    Taraba State Chairman of APC Jika Hassan Ardo hailed the ruling.

    “We shall continue to present evidences with facts and figures to show that APC is more popular in Taraba state. The people of Mbamga constituency should remain calm and wait patiently for the supplementary election,” Ardo said.

    It has been a huge setback for the PDP in Taraba state, having lost four of its major election cases. The PDP has lost the Central senatorial seat to the APC, and had its northern senatorial election nullified. The tribunal also nullified its House of Representatives election for Sardauna/Bali/Kurmi federal constituency and now the Speakers election in Mbanga, ordering the INEC to conduct rerun in 90 days.

     

  • Governor, Speaker, others hail judgment

    Governor, Speaker, others hail judgment

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has hailed his victory at the governorship election petitions tribunal, attributing it to God and the people.

    The governor said the verdict had laid to rest the innuendoes, evil machinations and falsehood being spread across the state and beyond by his opponents.

    He said: “I am grateful to God for this victory and for making it possible for me to break the second term jinx. I thank the people for the confidence reposed in me by voting for me a second time, despite innuendoes, evil machinations and falsehood by our opponents.

    “Today’s judgment has strengthened my belief in the judiciary as the bastion of our fragile democracy and the bulwark of good governance.

    “The judgment is not only a victory for my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) but also a victory for democracy and the rule of law.”

    Ajimobi, who pledged not to betray the people’s trust, said he remained the “coordinating servant’’ of those seeking the progress and prosperity of the state.

    The governor said: “I make bold to say that the petitioner (Accord) had no case in both content and technicality ab initio. Until you meet a bad man, you will not appreciate a good man when you see one.

    “Now that the people have spoken; now that the court has affirmed it and now that God has destined it, our opponents should not oppose God.

    “They should rather join hands with us to move Oyo State forward. I am taking this opportunity to call on all my brothers, Senator Ladoja is my egbon (brother) and we should move away from innuendoes.”

    House of Assembly Speaker Michael Adeyemo said it was a landmark verdict that would boost people’s confidence in the judiciary.

    Adeyemo said the judgment was  clear, adding that it has brought hope to the nation’s democracy.

    “The judgment clearly demonstrated to the world that Nigeria is evolving democratically.”

    Also, a member of the House of Representatives , Abiodun Awoleye, a member of the House of Assembly, Segun Olaleye and former chief whip Abiodun Adigun-Hammed have congratulated Ajimobi.

    They described his victory as “the true wish of the people”.

    The lawmakers said the people are comfortable with the APC government.

    Awoleye said: “Ajimobi cannot be compared to any former governor. He has set  a precedence for his successors.

    Adigun said:”It is the true wish of the state. It means people can now depend on the judiciary. The affirmation of the victory of our leader is an indication that the judiciary is the hope of the common man.?”

    Olaleye said: “I went round the state after the ruling and I discovered people are rooting for the governor. His achievements have spoken.”

     

    President, Nigeria Voters Assembly, Mashood Erubami, described the verdict as victory, not just for the voters but also a validation of the belief and confidence of the people in the judiciary.

    In a statement, Erubami said: “This judgment is a good testimony that Nigerians can still be assured that it is not all cases brought before the courts against a person that the complainant wins.

    “It is a revalidation of the fact that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

  • Ibani: I’m still Rivers Assembly’s Speaker

    Ibani: I’m still Rivers Assembly’s Speaker

    Rivers State House of Assembly’s Speaker Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has said Monday’s nullification of his election by the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal has not sacked him from office.

    Ibani, who represents Andoni, spoke yesterday at the Assenbly’s complex in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The Speaker said it was erroneous for people to say that the tribunal had sacked him from office.

    He noted that the tribunal’s verdict only said the election that brought him into office had been nullified.

    According to him, “that does not mean that I have been sacked from office, because I am still the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.

    Ibani added: “I heard in the news that the Speaker and 20 others have been sacked by the election tribunal. But this is not true.

    “No member of the Assembly, not even the Speaker, has been sacked. The lower tribunal gave judgment… In their judgment, they argued that there should be a rerun within 90 days.”

    The Speaker said he, alongside other lawmakers whose elections were nullified by the tribunal, had instructed their lawyers to appeal the verdict.

    He said: “The judicial process in Nigeria is that when a lower court gives its judgment, you can proceed to a higher court. That is why we have asked our lawyers to appeal the matter immediately.”

    Ibani said he was confident that justice would be done in the matter because “we have faith in the Judiciary”.

    The Speaker queried the reason the card reader, which was not used to determine the case of Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the tribunal, should be used to determine that of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Besides Ibani, other members of the Assembly whose elections were nullified by the tribunal, are: Martins Mannah (Ahoada East); Jack Major (Akuku Toru I); Tonye Awari Alalibo (Akuku Toru II); Granville Wellington (Asari Toru I); Enemi George (Asari-Toru II) and Abinye Peple (Bonny).

    Others are: Dagogo Farah Doctor (Degema); Tony Ejiogu (Etche II); Ngbulelo Israel (Gokana); Oguguo Anselem (Ikwerre); Deeyah Barine (Khana I); Dinebari Loolo (Khana II) and Christian Ahiakwo (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni I).

    The election of House Leader Martin Amaewhule was also nullified with those of: Michael Chinda (Obio/Akpor II); Diri Kelly Adonye (Opobo/Nkoro); Adoki Smart (Port Harcourt II) and Ngbar Amuele (Tai).

    The survivors of the election nullification include: Deputy Speaker Marshall Stanley-Uwom (Abua/Odual; Chief of the House Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo); the only APC member in the Assembly, Olu Josiah John (Eleme) and 10 other lawmakers.

  • Kano Speaker seeks protection for whistle blowers

    The Speaker of Kano state House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum has called on members of the National Assembly to enact laws that will protect anti-corruption crusaders, whistle blowers and witnesses who are ready to volunteer information about corruption cases.

    Alhaji Rurum said without a legislation aimed at protecting volunteers of information in corruption cases, the fight against corruption would not achieve the desired impact and results in the country.

    The lawmaker spoke in Abuja Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the sixth National Workshop on Transparency and Accountability for members of State Assembly from the north-west zone of the country.

    He said at the workshop organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, ACAN, that fear of harassment, intimidation, and insecurity occasioned refusal of people from stepping forward to give testimony about corruption cases in courts and before anti-corruption agencies.

    The Speaker said the National Assembly should do more to strengthen the war against corruption to ensure citizens’ protection especially when they are prepared to offer information and testify against people who abuse public trust and engaged in activities that undermined the economy of the country.

    He said members of the state legislators paticipating in the workshop would act as change agents at their various communities to ensure that the crusade against corruption yeild the desired results for the good of the people.

    The Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy, Professor Sola Akinrinade said the workshop was packaged for the legislators as part of the strategy to fight corruption and enhance quality of leadership and service delivery at various leadership levels in the country.

    He said it is imperative for state legislators to play pivotal role in the fight against corruption in the interest of the various communities they are representing and the need to ensure transparency and accountability in the business of governance at the state level.

  • Women fete Anambra Speaker

    Women fete Anambra Speaker

    Women in Anambra State have held an event in honour of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu. Why? Maduagwu is the third woman to hold that position in the state, and the women felt it called for celebration.

    Two of the organisers of the event, Mrs. Helen Obi and Chief Mrs. Rose Nwankwo said, “Before now, two other women, Eucharia Asodo and Chinwe Nwaebili, had held this position of Speaker in the state and Maduagwu`s turn has made it three”.

    “So, we have every right to thank God and celebrate the new Speaker because the women have come of age in Anambra State and it has shown that the affirmative action in Beijing, China is working in the state.

    “We do not want to be the head, but to be by  the side; before now, women were not meant to be seen or heard, but today, they are everywhere not only in this state but throughout the country with juicy positions.

    “We are proud of our lawmakers in this state for finding the women worthy of leading their male colleagues and who are in turn happy with the leadership qualities of the ladies, we appreciate the support of our men folk in this state” the ladies told the Nation”.

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and his wife, Ebelechukwu, were not around because of official engagements outside the country, but their representatives, Chief Law Chinwuba and Dr. Mrs. Uju Nwogu, commissioners for Works and Information, and Culture and Tourism, respectively.

    The women were led by Lady Helen Obi, a lawyer, and Chief Mrs. Rose Nwankwo, a lecturer and one time chairman of State Primary Education Board (SPEB).

    Virtually, all the state lawmakers were in attendance with numerous state government functionaries, academics, businessmen, contractors among others in the all-night event.

    The Deputy Speaker of the House, Hayford Oseke seized the opportunity to douse tension on the alleged plans to impeach Governor Obiano.

    Oseke said, “We do not know the word impeachment, we must support Willie Obiano to succeed and take the state to a higher level, and the state Assembly is the most peaceful in the country”.

    “Whoever thinks about impeachment is out of his or her mind and it’s the figment of the person’s imagination. Willie is working and that is why the legislature is giving him all the full support.”

    Maduagwu told The Nation that the rumour of impeachment was from the opposition, adding that no amount of speculation could lead the lawmakers to work against the administration of Obiano. She described the relationship between the two arms of government as very, very cordial.

    The speaker further described the gesture of Anambra women as an embarrassment of love to her, adding that she lacked words to thank them.

    Obiano’s representative, Law Chinwuba described the Speaker as an embodiment of excellence, a worthy mother and epitome of beauty and brains.

     

  • Tension as Edo Speaker escapes impeachment

    Tension as Edo Speaker escapes impeachment

    There was tension at the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly Monday over alleged plot to impeach Speaker Victor Edoror.

    Workers at the assembly spoke in low tunes about his possible impeachment, while sympathizers of the speaker stayed around his office.

    The lawmakers did not sit till about 5pm and held plenary for about 10 minutes because of executive session of the lawmakers which lasted over four hours.

    Sources said some lawmakers were peeved following discovery that council chairmen in the 18 local government paid N2m each to the Speaker for the renovation of the lawmakers’ quarters.

    Another source said the council chairmen have been paying N1.3m each to the lawmakers for the past six months.

    Last month, the lawmakers were said to have collected N3m from the council chairmen to suppress a report on the council’s Internally Generated Revenue prepared by a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Bright Osayande

    Besides, some of the lawmakers were said not to have been happy with the handling of the house leadership under Speaker Edoror.

    Lawmakers who spoke under anonymity said they were searching for the mole among them.

    They said the impeachment process was still on and that it was only postponed.

    Speaker Edoror could not be reached for comments as his aides said he was still at a meeting as at press time.

  • Benue Speaker advocates better welfare for teachers

    Benue Speaker advocates better welfare for teachers

    Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, has advocated a better welfare package for teachers so as to compliment the important role they play in reshaping learners into better citizens.

    He said the time has come for people who are in position of authority to consider themselves as the creation of teachers, and as such begin to fashion out policies and programmes that would reposition the teaching profession to its pride of place in the country.

    The Speaker in a message of felicitation to teachers in the state as they celebrated this year’s World Teachers Day, said the theme for the celebration, “Empowering Teachers, building sustainable societies” and the sub-theme as “Better working conditions for teachers as a means of better learning conditions for learners” were not only apt but timely.

    He argued that a society that does not empower its teachers through training, enhanced welfare packages and comfortable working environment would witness a steady decline in the quality of graduates.

    While acknowledging the difficulties being faced by teachers in the state as a result of delayed payment of salaries, the speaker blamed it on the last administration and appealed to teachers to be patient with the Ortom administration, assuring that everything was being done to alleviate their hardship.

    Ikyange charged teachers to rededicate themselves to the task of building a solid educational base for the country.

     

  • Community honours Anambra Speaker

    Community honours Anambra Speaker

    Ukpor community in Nnewi South Local Government Area has honoured the Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon Rita Maduagwu who hails from the town.

    Maduagwu helped to lift the infrastructural profile of the community after former governors of the state, Dr Chris Ngige and Mr. Peter Obi provided roads and water there.

    For her impact on the community, indigenous Ukpor people resident in Lagos under the aegis of Mkpodu Forum gave her an award.

    The forum is led by Hon Cyril Maduabum.

    Maduabum, who previously represented Nnewi North, Nnewi South,  Ekwusigo Federal constituency, described the Speaker as Oduko Na’mba, Igbo for rare breed.

    The event which attracted de-crème la-de crème in Ukpor community and in the state including Governor Willie Obiano, first Nigeria Aviation Minister, Dara Akunwafor Mbazululike Amechi, among others, took place at the Best Western Meloch Hotels in Awka at the weekend.

    Obiano who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke called on the citizens of the state who reside outside Anambra to think home by investing here in the state, especially, now that security is guaranteed.

    Describing the speaker as an astute politician, Obiano assured the people of Ukpor community that his administration would continue to remember them in all its development initiatives.

    But the concern of the octogenarian former Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazululike Amechi, was for the legislature and executive to work hand in glove to achieve success in Anambra state, which according to him, had eluded the state before now.

    The synergy, Amechi said, would enable more development to thrive, adding that already, there had been a sign of such accord between the two arms as he had noticed.

    Speaking with the Nation, the new national chairman of the All Progressives grand Alliance, Sir Victor Ike-Okoye, said the present leadership in the state, being spearheaded by Obiano, would make sure that all the 177 communities in the state were not left out.

    Earlier, in her emotion ladden remarks, the speaker, Rt. Hon Rita Maduagwu, thanked Ukpor Community for the honour done her, while assuring that her tenure as speaker would bring additional good tidings to the citizenry.

    However, she called for the encouragement of more women to join politics, but did not equally; fail to thank her husband, Hyacinth Maduagwu, also a lawyer for his support.

    Furthermore, she assured the state government of the support of Ukpor Community in taking the state to the higher level.

    The chairman of the occasion, Hon Cyril Maduabum, President General of the community (Ukpor development Union(UDU) Col Anthony Ogunna and chairman of the forum, Chief Emma Nwachukwu told the Nation that the honour was to show the speaker that they were solidly behind her.

    They thanked members of the state House of Assembly for finding the speaker worthy to be elected their leader while urging the citizenry to give support to Obiano to move the state forward.